GFYE 0098

The First-Year Experience at Gordon College

Dr. Barry Kicklighter

Fall 2009

Office: Russell 309

Office Phone #: (678) 359-5036

Office Hours: M-TR 8:30-9:30

M&W; 12:15-12:45

T&W 1:45-3:00

E-Mail: bkicklighter@gdn.edu

Course Description: This 3-credit course is designed to comprehensively introduce first-year students to the resources, policies, and overall community of Gordon College while assisting in the development of an array of academic and social skills necessary for success at the college and university level.

GFYE 0098 Requirement and Academic Credit: Any student entering Gordon College with 3 Learning Support requirements must be enrolled in this course.  Students required to take this course may not drop it from their academic schedule.  This course, as a Learning Support class, is considered an “Institutional Credit’ course, meaning that it does not count towards a student’s GPA, nor do its credits apply to the Core Curriculum towards any degree program.  Unlike other Learning Support courses, a student is not required to retake GFYE 0098 if they earn a failing grade; however, students should be aware that the grade earned in this course is used in calculating Financial Aid eligibility.  A failing grade in this course could compromise a student’s potential for receiving the Hope Scholarship or other forms of state/federal aid. 

Course Objectives: By the end of the semester, you should be able to:

* explain and utilize campus resources available to you as a student,

* develop a sense of connectedness to the Gordon College community through attendance at or participation in campus activities and cultural events,

* understand the lexical, behavioral, and philosophical underpinnings of the larger academic community,

* appreciate the connectedness of your General Education courses with those in your chosen or eventual major,

* develop confident interpersonal communications skills in your interactions with the students, faculty, staff and administration of Gordon College,

* enhance your potential for academic (and career) success through the development of constructive study, work, and critical thinking skills,

* expand your appreciation, understanding, and respect of ideas, creeds, and cultures different from your own.

Course Meetings: This course meets three times a week. On Monday and Wednesday, we will meet in the Academic Building 110 at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesdays, all students enrolled in

GFYE 0098 will meet in the Student Center Auditorium for an Assembly Lecture program at 2:00 p.m.

Required Texts and Materials: To successfully participate in and complete this course, you must acquire the following course materials:

* Keys to Success: Building Successful Intelligence for College, Career, and Life, Carter, Bishop, Kravitz, and Block

* Gordon College Handbook

* Three-ring binder with loose leaf paper (college ruled) for your Journal

Course Requirements: To receive a passing grade in this course, all of the following components must be completed and turned in according to deadline:

* Attendance (20%): To benefit from this, or any, class, you must actually be here. I take roll at the start of each class period; if you are not present when your name is called, you will be marked absent. If you arrive in class after attendance has been called, you are welcome to take your seat quietly and participate in class; you will not, however, receive credit for attendance. Your attendance grade will be the percentage of days you actually received credit for attending class. I will not accept any excuses for missed days. Your attendance grade is worth 20% of your final grade.

* Midterm Exam (15%): A test on the key campus resources and academic skills we have discussed up to this point. This exam is worth 15% of your final grade.

* First Year Experience Journal (20%): This will serve as both a course notebook for our class meetings and a place to record at least two reflective entries per week on our readings and class discussion. Homework assignments (including exercises from our text, event reports, etc.) will also be completed in the journal itself. Bring your Journal with you to class at all times. I will collect it and check it four times during the course of the semester, assigning a grade on a 25 point scale at each assessment, totaling 100 points by semester’s end. If you do not have your Journal on a check-in day, you will receive a 0 grade for that quarter. Your FYE Journal is worth 20% of your final grade.

* Graduated Learning Plan (25%): This is a plan a student produces in consultation with an academic advisor to “map out” the courses needed to complete a four-year degree in a chosen major. Your GLP should include an explanation of the major you are considering, a list of courses necessary to complete a 4-yr degree in that major, a consideration of three institutions that offer that degree and why each might be appropriate for you, and an explanation of three possible career paths or opportunities for further education that one might pursue after completion of that 4-yr degree. This requirement is worth 25% of your final grade.

* Final Exam (20%): A cumulative exam covering key concepts and skills examined throughout the semester. This exam is worth 20% of your final grade.

Grade Parameters: Grading for this course will follow the standard 100 point scale:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

59% and below = F

Deadlines: Since college is preparation for our “real world” careers, where tardiness can result in the loss of said career, I will treat our academic deadlines with equal import. Assignments are due on the date given. Late work will be accepted at the class period following the deadline and will be penalized one full grade-level. No assignments will be accepted thereafter, and the student will receive a zero for that grade.

Classroom Behavior: Do not make the mistake in presuming that this is “thirteenth grade” and that it is my responsibility to police your behavior. Neither presumption is true. I have the right and jurisdiction to remove you from this class (and deny your readmission) should I judge your classroom behavior disruptive, disrespectful, or unhealthy. You may have paid your money to be here, but you do not have an inalienable right to remain here if your presence interferes with the rights and privileges of your classmates.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the willful representation of another person’s work as your own. There are two forms of plagiarism. Patchwork plagiarism is the attempt to incorporate elements (exact quotes or ideas) of another’s work into your own without proper attribution; if caught committing patchwork plagiarism, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment. Wholesale plagiarism is the attempt to pass off a complete paper composed by another person or persons as your own; if caught committing wholesale plagiarism you will fail this course.

ADA Services: To qualify for ADA Services, you must see Kristina Henderson in Student Affairs-Counseling. Her phone number is 678-359-5326.

Turn off all electronic devices while in this class! I will deduct an attendance mark for each person whose electronic toys go off during class.

Course Outline

The following overview identifies the primary points of our focus over the course of the upcoming semester. You are expected to arrive in class having read the assignments listed below on the dates they are given. Make careful note of assignment deadlines listed below; take the time now to record those deadlines in your daily planner. Note that each Assembly Lecture meets in the Student Center Auditorium at 9:00 a.m.

August 17 Introduction

18 Assembly Lecture: Campus Technology: Computer Services

19 Syllabus Review

24 Read & Complete: Read This First, xxvi-xxx

25 Assembly Lecture: Campus Safety: Office of Public Safety

26 Review of First Year Journal assignment

Freshman Convocation at 2:00 p.m. in Gymnasium

31 Read Chapter 1: “Understanding the College Culture,” 3-16

September 1 Assembly Lecture: Campus Disciplinary Procedures: Office of Student Housing / Student Affairs

2 Read Chapter 2: “Understanding Yourself and How You Learn,” 27-34

7 Labor Day: No Classes

8 Assembly Lecture: Business Office and The Bookstore: Policies and Procedures

Leigh Anderson, Business Office & Connie Wade, Bookstore

9 Read Chapter 2: “Understanding Yourself and How You Learn,” 35-47

14 Read Chapter 3: “Understanding Others in College and Diversity,” 49-71

15 Assembly Lecture: The Hightower Library: Hightower Library

16 Read Chapter 3: “Understanding Others in College and Diversity,” 49-71

21 Read Chapter 4: “Managing Your Time,” 73-97

22 Assembly Lecture: Student Health Services: Tracy Baker, APRN, NP-C

23 Read Chapter 4: “Managing Your Time,” 73-97

28 Read Chapter 5: “Handing Stress and Making Healthy Choices,” 99-119

29 Assembly Lecture: Financial Aid 101: Larry Mitcham, Director, Office of Financial Aid

30 Read Chapter 5: “Handing Stress and Making Healthy Choices,” 99-119

October 5 Read Chapter 6: “Test Taking,” 194-224

6 Assembly Lecture: MAP: Charting a Course to Your Academic Success

Michele Perry-Stewart, Minority Access Program

7 Mid-Term Exam

12 Fall Break: No class

13 Fall Break: No class

14 Mid-Term Review

19 Read Chapter 7: “Reading,” 145-165

20 Assembly Lecture: Academic Policies: Janet Barras, Registrar’s Office

21 Read Chapter 7: “Reading,” 145-165

26 Read Chapter 8: “Listening and Taking Notes Effectively,” 167-185

27 Assembly Lecture:

28 Read Chapter 8: “Listening and Taking Notes Effectively,” 167-185

November 2 Read Chapter 9: “Writing and Presenting College Assignments,” 187-211

3 Assembly Lecture:

4 Read Chapter 9: “Writing and Presenting College Assignments,” 187-211

9 Read Chapter 10: “Studying and Taking Tests,” 213-235

10 Assembly Lecture:

11 Read Chapter 10: “Studying and Taking Tests,” 213-235

16 Read Chapter 11: “Planning for Next Semester,” 237-259

17 Assembly Lecture:

18 Read Chapter 11: “Planning for Next Semester,” 237-259

23 Read Chapter 12: “Preparing for a Career and a Life,” 261-281

24 Assembly Lecture: To be announced

25 Thanksgiving Break: No class

30 Preparing for a Career and a Life,” 261-281

December 1 Assembly Lecture:

2

7 Graduated Learning Plan due in class: No late GLPs accepted!

Final Exam: December 11, 1:30pm.